{"data":{"ID":1443,"Class":"Conversation","Created":1758635893,"CreatorID":79,"RevisionID":null,"Status":"Accepted","Title":"Networking for Success: Empowering Students to Build Career-Launching Connections","Handle":"networking_for_success--empowering_students_to_build_career-launching_connections","ShortDescription":"Transform how students approach professional relationships through structured networking activities. This interactive session equips educators with concrete tools to teach networking skills, build student confidence, and create pathways to real-world learning opportunities including internships, job shadows, and career exploration experiences.","Description":"In today's interconnected world, 73% of jobs come through networking, yet most students graduate without essential relationship-building skills. This session explores networking as a critical pedagogical tool that honors students' current lives while preparing them for future success.\r\nWe'll examine how intentional networking instruction creates authentic pathways to real-world learning experiences\u2014from informational interviews to student-driven internships. Participants will experience proven strategies for building student confidence in professional interactions, helping young people recognize their value and articulate their goals effectively.\r\nThe conversation centers on practical implementation: How do we teach elevator pitches that reflect authentic student voices? What scaffolding helps anxious students navigate professional conversations? How can networking activities connect to academic content while building career readiness?\r\nEducators will leave with ready-to-use tools including conversation templates, confidence-building activities, and frameworks for creating networking opportunities within existing programs. We'll discuss how to leverage community partnerships, alumni networks, and local professionals to create meaningful connections for students.\r\nThis approach aligns with EduCon's principle of co-creating modern citizens by teaching students to actively engage with their professional communities. By treating networking as a learnable skill rather than innate talent, we democratize access to career opportunities and empower students to shape their own pathways to success.","Link":[],"Audience":["High School"],"Practice":"The session will use a \"fishbowl protocol\" where participants experience networking activities as students would, then step back into educator roles to debrief and adapt strategies. We'll crowdsource challenges and solutions which will be shared back with participants through a shared google drive folder. Small group reflection will allow for peer consultation on implementation barriers, followed by whole-group synthesis of actionable next steps.","Presenter":["Candace Eaton"],"PresenterAffiliation":["The Workshop School; Workshop Learning"],"PresenterEmail":["ceaton@philasd.org"],"ScheduleSlotID":192,"ScheduleLocationID":34,"SubmitterID":79,"AdditionalComments":"I also submitted a group proposal with other Workshop School staff.  The priority would be the group proposal related to holistic approaches to internship programming but if there is room for a second presentation I would love to facilitate this deep dive on networking!","LiveChannel":null,"Hashtag":null,"VokleID":null,"RecordingURL":null,"ConferenceID":13}}